Young left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari's match-winning performance in the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy game against Haryana not only helped Mumbai qualify for the knockout stage
Young left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari's match-winning performance in the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy game against Haryana not only helped Mumbai qualify for the knockout stage, but also earned him a maiden Ranji Trophy call-up for this week's game against Andhra Pradesh at Ongole, AP. Kothari, 21, who picked up 13 wickets for Dilip Vengsarkar XI in the U-23 Shalini Bhalekar selection tournament, didn't get a chance in the first three CK Nayudu games. But when he got his chance against Haryana, he claimed four wickets in each innings to help his side beat the visitors by an innings and 131 runs.
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Karsh Kothari
"He is a tall left-arm spinner and generates good bounce from the wicket. Of course, he is inexperienced but there are experienced players in the team to help him," Mumbai's chief selector Ajit Agarkar told mid-day yesterday. Kothari replaced left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil, who claimed only two wickets in the game against Baroda at the Wankhede Stadium recently where he bowled 51 overs and conceded 177 runs. A niggle affected his (Gohil) form and not playing one of games might help him," said Agarkar.
Kothari has MCA indoor academy spin bowling coach Ramesh Powar as well as Amit Pagnis, the Mumbai U-23 coach, to thank for his Ranji call-up. "Powar sir improved my bowling and Pagnis sir backed me for the decider against Haryana," Kothari told mid-day yesterday. His Ranji selection came as a mini shock. "I was surprised. I performed well against Haryana, but I thought I've got to take more wickets to break in. As far as the Ranji Trophy match against Andhra is concerned, I am nervous and excited. I have to do well to cement my place in the team," he added.
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